Betty Louise (Stockstill) Rathbun

ELLSWORTH

  Betty Louise Rathbun, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at her home in Ellsworth. She was born January 18, 1930, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to William "Dan" and Ada (Moore) Stockstill.

  On March 18, 1949, Betty married Ronald K. Rathbun, in Ellsworth. Together, they built a life rooted in the land, managing farm and ranch operations in Ellsworth County. They were married for 73 years before Ronald passed in 2022.  She was a devoted member of the Ellsworth Methodist Church, and a 75-plus year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

  She is survived by her sons, Randall Rathbun (Adriene) of Wichita, Cory Rathbun (Cheryl) of Ellsworth, and Clay Rathbun (Theresa) of Westwood; her daughter, Lori Rathbun Kerr (Rick) of Denver; ten grandchildren, Zach, Josh, Kelsea, Brett, Jarrod, Mallory, Alex, Madeline, Daniel, and Bradley; and seven great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Noah, Tyler Rose, Poppy, Shiloh, Archie, and Saffron "Ronnie." She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Ronald; her grandson Tyler Robert Rathbun; her brothers, William "Stanley," John "Homer," Bobby, and Fred Stockstill; and her sisters, Dorothy LeDoux and Doris Dorsey.

  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Ellsworth Methodist Church. A private family inurnment will take place prior to the service at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth Methodist Church or the Smoky Hill Community Foundation, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

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